Separating apparatus.



C. C. RUPRECHT.

SEPARATING APPARATUS.

APPL|cAT |oN man 1m57.191s.

1. ,222,80@ Patented. Apr. 17,1917.

3 SHEETS*SHEET'1.

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C. C. RUPRECHT.

SEPARATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION man 1AN.7.1915.

Patented Apr. l?, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2 m: mmm: psnzns cm vnarorumu, wAsmNcrcN. n. c.

C. C.RUPRECHT.

SEPARATING APPARATUS.

APPLICATION man JAN. 7, 1915.

Patented Apr. 17, 1917.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

ooo'ooooom m/emz- QQQWLW 125 HAL CHARLES C. BUPRECE'I, 0F IVIDW'AY, FLGRIDiL` SEARATING APPARATUS.

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Specification of Letters Eatent.

Patented Apr. if?, 1.91%'.

Application filed .Tanuary 7, 1315. Serial No. 884A.

To all 'whom z' may concern.'

Be it known that l, Cima ns C. RUrnnoi-ir, a citizen oi' the United States, residing at lllidway, in the county of Gadsden and State of Florida, hare invented a certain new and useful Improve-ment in Separating ripparatus, of which the following is a t'ull, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

v'lfhis invention relates to apparatus for gia-ding` or separating fuller-s earth or other similar materials, and it has, for its object to provide an apparatus for this purpose .hat is extremely efficient; that is siniple ot construction and economical of operation and maintenance; wherein repairs can be conveniently made witaout the necessit*T of stopping the ope ation of the entire apparatus; and wherein the screens are kept clean and comparatively tree from clogging.

ln those types of grading or separating apparatus that are in common use and with which l am familiar, the screen is made in one section and so arranged that it is yer'y dimcult of removal for the purpose of malring repairs, and when it is necessary to remore a screen, the entire apparatus is thrown out of service during such time. ln many cases the supply of material is taken directly from other devices, such as driers, grinders, etc., and to suspend their operations while making repairs on the screen, results in a considerable loss of time, which means an expense tar in excess of the actual cost of repairing the screen.

rlfherefore, l hold as a Very important object of my invention, the provision of a grading or separating apparatus wherein the aforesaid ditliculty'is eliminated. To this end l provide apparatus which comm prises, generally, series et inclined screens (which l will refer to hereinafter as screenpanels) to the upper ends ot whichis Vdelivered, by a common means, material to be graded, the material that is fine enough passing through the screens, while the coarser material is discharged from the lower ends of the screen-panels into a suitable receiver. Pursuant to the aforesaid objects, l provide means tor cutting off the supply of material to any one of the panels, and each panel is supported entirely independently of the other panels and in a manner that will permit it to be very readily removed from the apparatus for the purpose or" repairs.

A further object comprehended by my invention is the provision ot a simple and convenient means ol adjustment for Varying the angle ot inclination et the screen panels.

rihe foregoing objects, and others which will become apparent as this description proceeds, are attained in an apparatus comprising the elements set forth in the claims annexed hereto, and an embodiment whereof is shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure l represents a sectional front elevation of the apparatus; Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the apparatus, on a plane at right angles to lig. l; Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of an upper corner oi" one ot the panels, and the vibrating mechanism` associated therewith; Fig. a is a plan and Fig. 5 a longitudinal section on the line 5 5 of' Fig. el respectively, of one of the screen-panels employed in my apparatus; and Fig. 6 is a perspective ot one of the brackets used in supporting the lower ends of the screen-panels.

' Referring to the drawings byuse of reference characters, l represents the base 'trame of a casing. and FZ the end walls thereof. A back wall 3 rises from the rear edge oit the base l, and. a front wall 4, from its forward edge. suitable closure 5 extends between the upper edge of the front wall a and the forward edge ot a top wall 6.

A conyeyer trough 7 occupies the upper portion oin4 the casing and is open at its top to receive material to be graded; and throughout its length, said trough is provided with depending spouts S that are provided with pivoted chutes 9, adapted to discharge mater'al upon screen-panels il. These spor-.ts and chutes will be fully de scribed hereinafter. A spiral conreyer 10 operates within the trough, and its shaft l1'. is journaled in suitable liiushings l? that are mounted in the end walls ot' the casing. lli similar conyeyer trough is located in the lower, torwffu'd portion et the casing, and is supported by a trame/work lll. This conveyer trough is arranged to receive the material discharge( :trom the lower e1 of the screen-panels A and in order to prevent any of the material from escaping the trough, said trough ma.4 he 1piroyided with laterally extending inclined j lates l5, which project beneath the lower ends of said panels. A spiral conveyer 1G operates within the trough 13, te carry the material deposited therein toward the right hand end of the machine and discharge the same into any suitable receiver (not shown). he shaft 17 of this conveyer is journaled within bushings 18 that are mounted in the end walls 2.

A plurality of brackets 20 project for ward from the rear wall 3 and support the upper ends of chutes 21. These chutes are inclined downward and forward, and their lower ends are supported upon a cross beam 22, that forms a part of the base frame 1. l have shown a chute 21 beneath each of the screen panels A, so that if I desire to use screens of different mesh, for the purpose of selecting different grades of material, I

Vmay preserve thc separation of such material by conducting the respective grades into separate bins by way of the various chutes 21. It will be understood, however, that the chutes might be made wide enough to receive the graded material from any number of the panels, provided that they were of the same mesh.

25 are brackets, (one of which is shown in perspective in Fig. 6) and one of these brackets is located adjacent cach end wall of the casing and is supported upon the cross member 2G of the base frame. Each of the brackets has an inclined head 27, one side of which is provided with a series of recesses 28, within any one of which is arranged to be secured one end of a rod 29, by means of a clamping plate 30 that is fastened to the recessed face of the bracket head by cap screws 31, it being understood that the two ends of the rod are clamped within corresponding` recesses of the two brackets 25. It will be observed from Figs. 2 and 6 that the series of recesses 28, of each of the brackets 25, is arranged on acurve, and said curve is substantially concentric with the point of suspension of the upper ends of the panels A. This is for the obvious reason of preventing any appreciable variation in the location of such suspension point, through the adjustment of the rod 29, it being remembered that the lower ends of the panels are supported by the rod.

A shaft 35 is located above the previously mentioned brackets 20, and has its ends journaledin suitable bushings 31 (see Fig. 1) that are mounted in the end walls 2. Secured to the shaft 35, beneath the upper end of each of the panels A, is a pair of cams 37 (although there may be but one, or

a greater number than two employed if de-v sired). The cams are locked to the shaft by any suitable means, such as keys 38, and the high points of the cams of each pair are located in alinement. As will be eX- plained farther along, the rotation of the shaft will cause the cams to impart vibrations to the screen-panels, and .if it be desired to increase the frequency of vibration, the same may be accomplished. by providing a greater number of high points on the cams, and running the shaft at the same speed. lt is essential to have the high points of the cams of each screen-panel in accurate alinement to prevent twisting the panel; and in the employment of only one cam for each panel, the cam is located at the transverse center thereof.

Upon referring particularly to Figs. 4 and 5, it will be seen that each of the screenpanels A comprises a pair of side rails 40 that are connected together' and spaced apart at their upper ends by a cross beam 41, and at their lower ends, by the transverse member 42, an intermediate transverse member 43 being located substantially halfway between the cross beam l1 and the transverse member d2. rllhe cross beam il corresponds in depth to the side rails Ll0 and therefore forms an end wall for the screen panel, while the underneath surfaces of the transverse members 42 and i3 are spaced some distance from the screen proper, so that material may freely pass therebeneath. At each of its'ends, the cross beam 41 is provided with a vertically disposed guideway 44, for the reception of a block 116 (preferably of hard wood), which is considerably longer 'than the vertical dimension of the beam. The lower end of each block 46 is arranged to rest upon the periphery of one of the cams 37, 'while its upper end is engaged by the forward end of a Ushaped leaf-spring e7, the opposite end of said spring being secured, by the bolts 48, to lug 11-9 that projects from the j Side of the crossi beam il adjacent each of the guideways 441-. It is very essential that the bearing blocks 4 -6 be yieldingly connected to the screen-panels, and l find that the construction just described, for accomplishing this end, is very satisfactory in practice, although I do not limit myself to such form of yielding connection, since other methods of including a spring or springs between the block and the panel can be employed without departing from the spirit of my invention.

To the lower end of each of the side rails 40 is secured a fitting 50, consisting of a plate 51, each plate being fastened to the respective rail by the bolts 53, and from the forward end of each plate there extends a U-shaped fork 52. The forks 52 embrace the rods 29, and a block 54 is clamped between the spaced ends of each fork, by means of a bolt 55, for the purpose of preventing the withdrawal of the fork from the rod. It will be observed that the space between the inner face of the block 511 and the opposed cui-red wall of the fork, is considerably greater than the diameter of the rod Qi), wherefore the screen is capable of transverse as well as yangular movement with respect to the rod. However, l prefer to provide means whereby this space may be varied, or eliminated entirely if desired, and for that reason l slot the forks 52, where the bolts pass through them, so that said bolts, and the blocks 5l may be adjusted toward and from the crotch of the fork.

Applied to the underneath side of the pane-l frame arbore described, is screening material, designated a in the drawings, and consisting of a bolting cloth, grit gauze, wire gauze. 0r other similar material. The edges of the screening material are clamped between the opposed surfaces of the aforesaid frame, and strips 5G that are secured to the frame, by screws 57.'

The conveyor l0 is driyen from any suitable source of power by a chain G0, which passes over a sprocket wheel Gl that is secured to the right hand end of the shaft 11, beyond the end wall 2. lntermediate the sprocket wheel (Si and said end wall., a second sprocket wheel@ is fastened to the shaft, and a chain which passes about this sprocket wheel, passes over a similar wheel 63 that is secured to the shaft Beyond the sprocket wheel. "o3, the shaft 35 carries another sprocket wheel Gil, and a chain passes over it and a sprocket wheel G6 that is secured to the protruding end of the shaft i 17 of the lower conyeyer 1G.

ln the use of the apparatus, material to be graded is introduced into the trough 7 from any source, such as driers, grinders, etc., as aforesaid, and is moved therealong' by the conyeyer l0 until it is precipitated through the various spouts 9 onto the screenpanels El. As the shaft carryina1 the cams 3, is rotated in the direction of the arrow in 2, the upper ends of the panels will be elevated, and at the same time the panels will be drawn upward away from the rod 29, by the drap; or friction of the blocks et@ upon the faces of the cams. ns the high points of the cams pass the lower ends of the K blocks 4:6, the panels will drop abruptly toward the shaft 35, and simultaneously more longitudinally toward the rod 29. rlhis movement of the panels imparts a sliding motion to the material supported thereby. This not only aids in the screening of the material, but is especially advantageous in reeping the surface of the screen clean and prevents the screen from becomingn clogged. Attention is also alled to the fact that a 'fery rapid vibration of comparatively long; duration is imparted to the panels upon each rotation of each of the cams, by reason of 'the yielding connection between the panelframes and the blocks 46, through which the upper ends of the panels are supported.

lt is well known to those familiar with prerailingr types of machines apparatus that are used for grading or selecting` such granular materials as fullers earth and the like, that said machines or apparatus har numerous parts and bearings that subjected to the wearingor abradinp; influence of dust and n'rit that are eyer present during' their operation. ln my apparatus, practically the only wearing parts are those ends of the blocks -lG which engage the cams; and because of the simplicity of 4my construction, these blocks can be readily replaced in a yery brief interval of time and at very slight expense, said blocks beine,l preferably made of some cheap, hard wood, such as hickory. Furthermore, 'this can be done without stopping' the operation of the apparatus. lf any of the screens should become worn or injured from any cause, the affected panel can be repaired by opening` "'he front of the casing' and swinging' the free end of the panel out of the machine when its underneath side will be exposed so that the strips may be very easily removed and new screening' material substituted for the old. rifhe strips may then be replaced and the panel swung' back to operatiye position. Should it be found necessary to entirely remore the panel for any reason, the same may be accomplished without suspending` the operation of the apparatus, by simply removing' the bolts and the blocks 5ft, when the forks of?, may be withdrawn from the rod F29,

'Attention is called to the construction of the chutes 9, that are pivoted between the depending sides Z0 of the spouts ll. The deducting surface of each of the chutes lis corrugated the corrugations eitendinp,` longitudinally of the chute,u so as to effect a thorough distribution of the material across the screen-panel." rl side plate Tl extends from each lateral edge of the dedecting surface of the chute, at right angles thereto, and the upper end of each side plate enlarged and is piyoted at 72, 'to the adjacent depending side of the spout.

l portion of the enlargement of each side plate 7l has its edge curved concentric to the pivot 7?', and connecting the curved edges of the opposed side plates, is a segmental wall 73. lWhen the chute is in normal position, as shown in full lines in Figs. 1 and 2, the segmental wall extends downward from the forward side of the spout 8, and free passage of material from the trough 7 to the screen panel is permitted. When it is desired to remove any one of the screen-panels, however, 9 is swung into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, when the segmental wall 73 of such chute will act as a gate to close the spout 8 and thus shut off the terial therethrough.

its respective chute tlc w of marlhrough the adjustment of the rod 29 within the brackets 25, the angle of inclination of the panels may be varied to regulate the speed vat which, the. material passes downward across the screening surfaces.

While I have necessarily described my invention in detail, I do not propose to be imited to such details except as required by the terms of the annexed claims and rendered necessary by the prior state of the art.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. The combination of a vibratory screen, a striker member, a spring connection between said member and the screen, and means to cause impacts against said member.

2. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a screen, means loosely supporting the screen, a cam engaging device having a spring supporting connection to the screen, a member having a cam portion for coperation with said device, and means for moving said member.

3. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a screen, a member supporting one end of the screen and with respect to which the screen is capable of angular and lateral movement, adjustment means for varying the extent of such movement, a movable member whereon the opposite end of the screen is arranged to bear, the movable member being at a diderent elevation than the supporting member whereby the screen is inclined, the movable member having a cam portion for cooperation with the end of the screen opposite the supporting member, and means for moving the movable member to cause its cam portion to move in a direction toward the elevated end of the screen.

e. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a screen, a member supporting one end of the screen and with respect to which the screen is capable of movement in a plane parallel to its own plane, adplstment means for varying the extent of such movement, a movable member whereon the opposite end of the screen is arranged to bear, the movable member being at a higher elevation than the supporting member whereby the screen is inclined downward toward the supporting member, the movable member having a cam portion for cooperation with the upper end of the screen, and means for moving the movable member to cause its cam portion to move in a direction toward the upper end of the screen.

5. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a screen, a supporting member for one end of the screen and with respect to which the screen is capable of movement in its own plane, a cam engaging device yieldingly carried by the opposite end of the screen, a cam supported above the plane of the supportingmember and in a posit-ion to be engaged by the cam engaging device, means for rotating said cam over in the direction of the upper end of the screen, and a bracket within which the supporting member is adjustable in an arc substantially concentric with a center defined by that end of the cam engaging device which traverses the cam.

- 6. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a screen, means loosely supporting the same, a member carried by the screen and movable transversely of the plane thereof, a cam engaged by one end of said member, a spring having one of itsends secured to the screen and its opposite end resting upon that end of said member remote from the cam,- and means for rotating the cam.

7. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a screen, means for loosely supporting the same, a member carried by the screen and movable transversely of the plane thereof, a cam whereon one end of said member rests, a spring having one of its ends secured to the screen and its opposite end resting upon that end of said member remote from the cam, and means for rotating the cam.

8. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a screen, means loosely supporting the same, a member carried by the screen and movable transversely of the pla ne thereof, a cam that is traversed by one end of said member, yielding connections between said member and the screen, and mechanism for rotating the cam.

V9. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a plurality of screens, means loosely supporting the corresponding ends of all of the screens, mechanism for supporting the opposite ends of the screens at a higher elevation than the aforesaid ends and for imparting to said screens vibrations, a trough extending over the upper ends of the screens, said trough being provided with a spout for each of the screens, a convveyer within said trough, a trough for receiving material from the lower ends of the screens, a conveyer within said second trough, and a chute for receiving the grated material from each of the screens.

10. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a screen panel, a fork carried by one end thereof, a supporting rod to which said fork is applied, a block removably secured within the end of the fork whereby the fork is held against withdrawal from the rod, and a vibrating device whereon the opposite end of the panel rests.

11. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a screen panel, a

-fo-rk carried by one end thereof, a supporting rod to which said fork is applied, a block removably and adj ustably secured Within the end of the fork, and a vibrating device Whereon the opposite end of the panel rests.

l2. In apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a screen panel, a supporting rod, means connecting one end of said panel to the rod, a vibrating device Whereon the opposite end of the panel rests, and adjustment means ivhereby the elevation of the supporting rod with respect to the vibrating device may be varied, on an arc substantially concentric With respect to said device.

13, ln apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a screen panel, a supporting rod, means connecting one end of said panel to the rod, a cam engaging device yieldingly carried by the opposite end of the panel, a cam Whereon said device is adapted to rest, and means for actuating said cam.

14. in apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a screen panel, a supporting rod, means connecting one end of said panel to the rod, a cam engaging device yieldingly carried by the opposite end of the panel, a cam Whereon said device is adapted to rest, and brackets for the aforesaid supporting rod, each bracket having a curved series of rod receiving recesses that is substantially concentric with a center defined by the bearing end of the aforesaid cam engaging device.

l5. ln apparatus of the character set forth, the combination of a screen panel, a supporting rod, connections betweenone end of the panel and said rod, a vibrating device Whereon the opposite end of the panel is adapted to rest, and brackets for supporting the aforesaid rod, each of the brackets having a series of rod receiving recesses that is disposed at substantially right angles to the plane of the panel.

16. A panel frame of the character described comprising a pair of side rails, a cross beam connecting the corresponding ends of the rails, the lower side of the beam being in the plane of the underneath surface of the side rails, transverse members for con necting and spacing apart the side rails at points remote from the cross beam, the underneath edges whereof are above the plane of the underneath surfaces of the side rails, members applied to the underneath side of the side rails, and a piece of screening 1na terial having its edges clamped between the opposed surfaces of the rails and said members.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto affix my signature in the presence of tivo Witnesses.

CHARLES C. RUPRECHT.

TWitnesses Jo. .W. EDMoNDs, BETTIE V. HERRING.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

